TOP SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF TENT

Abstract

A top support structure of tent includes a hub for a plurality of poles. The hub is provided with a plurality of connector members, each having an abutting face and being pivoted to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder, to which the pole of the tent is coupled. A fastening member is pivotally inserted between the two pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The inner end of the fastening member is formed with an abutting portion opposing to the abutting face of the connector member, the outer end of which is provided with a press portion extending over the pivot holder. A spring is positioned between the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tent, and more particularly to a top support structure of a tent.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are various tents on the market. In general, the tent comprises a tent cloth and a tent frame to support the tent cloth. The tent frame is a foldable structure. In order to fold or unfold the tent, the tent is provided with a top support structure. Chinese Utility Model Reg. No. 200720007891.9 discloses a top connection module of a tent, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The tent frame is composed of a plurality of poles. The inner ends of the poles 1 are connected through a top connection module 2. The top connection module 2 comprises a main body 21. The main body 21 comprises a plurality of U-shaped pivot seats 22, each having an opening facing downward. Each pivot seat 22 is pivotally connected with a connector 23. The U-shaped inner wall of the pivot seat 22 has an engaging trough 222. The connector 23 is connected with the pole 1. The connector 23 has a slot 231 for connection of a pivot axle 221 of the pivot seat 22. The connector 23 further comprises an engaging block 232 corresponding to the engaging trough 222 of the pivot seat 22. When the tent is unfolded, the poles 1 will be pulled to extend. The outer ends of the poles 1 are fixed, and the inner ends of the poles 1 are slightly curved and have inward support force. The main body 21 of the top connection module 2 is pressed downward, and the engaging block 232 is slid in the engaging trough 222 by the inward support force of the pole 1. The engaging block 232 is engaged with the engaging trough 222 to prevent the pole 1 from bending downward and to support the tent cloth. The top of the connector 23 is against the U-shaped bottom of the pivot seat 22 to prevent the pole 1 from bending upward. The aforesaid structure is simple and the operation is very convenient. However, only the engaging block 232 is used to prevent the pole 1 from bending downward when the tent is unfolded. The size of the engaging block 232 is limited. After a period of use, the engaging block 232 may break to influence the service life of the tent.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a top support structure for a tent. The top support structure is durable and can be operated conveniently.

According to a first aspect, the top support structure of the present invention comprises a hub and a plurality of connector members on the hub. Each connector member is pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder. Each connector member has an abutting face thereon. The pivot holder is connected with a tent pole. A fastening member is pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The fastening member has an abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end thereof. The press portion extends out of the pivot holder. A spring is provided between the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder. Each connector member has a curved slot. The pivot holder is provided with a pivot axle to connect the relative connector member. The pivot holder is provided with a positioning axle inserting through the curved slot.

Preferably, the connector members are respectively connected to the hub.

Preferably, the connector members are integrally formed with the hub.

Preferably, the inner wall or outer wall of the pivot holder is provided with a reinforcement member.

Preferably, the hub is provided with a decoration cover.

According to a second aspect, the top support structure of the present invention comprises a hub and a plurality of connector members on the hub. Each connector member is pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder. Each connector member has an abutting face thereon. The pivot holder is connected with a tent pole. A fastening member is pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The fastening member has an abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end thereof. The press portion extends out of the pivot holder. A spring is provided between the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder. The pivot holder comprises a stop plate connected between upper ends of the two pivot pieces to hold against an upper end of the relative connector member.

Preferably, the connector members are respectively connected to the hub.

Preferably, the connector members are integrally formed with the hub.

Preferably, the inner wall or outer wall of the pivot holder is provided with a reinforcement member.

Preferably, the hub is provided with a decoration cover.

Accordingly, the abutting portion of the fastening member holds against the abutting face of the connector member to prevent the tent pole from bending downward. The positioning axle cooperates with the curved slot to prevent the tent pole from bending upward. Alternatively, the stop plate of the pivot holder holds against the upper end of the relative connector member to prevent the tent pole from bending upward. The fastening member is a separate structure, which can be larger in size to hold against the abutting face of the connector member so the engagement is stable and durable. When operated, the user just presses the press portion of the fastening member so the operation is very convenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional top support structure for a tent;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the conventional top support structure in a folded state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another exploded view according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the present invention applied to a tent;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the first embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is another exploded view according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the top support structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a hub 9 and a plurality of connector members 8 which are integrally formed with the hub 9. Each connector member 8 is pivotally connected with a pivot holder 7. The pivot holder 7 is further connected with a pole 1.

The connector member 8 has a pivot hole 82 and a curved slot 83 which are concentric. The connector member 8 further has an abutting face 84 at a front end thereof.

The pivot holder 7 has two pivot pieces 71. In order to enhance its strength, the inner and outer walls of the pivot holder 7 are provided with reinforcement members 75 which correspond in shape to the pivot holder 7 and are made of metal or hard plastic, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the inner walls or the outer walls of the left and right sides of the pivot holder 7 are provided with the reinforcement members 75 to enhance the strength of the pivot pieces 71, as shown in FIG. 3. If the pivot holder 7 made of metal and hard plastic has enough strength, the reinforcement members 75 can be omitted. The connector member 8 is connected between the two pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7 through a pivot axle 72. A positioning axle 73 is inserted through the curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 and riveted to the pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7.

A fastening member 6 is pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7. The fastening member 6 has an abutting portion 61 at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting face 84 of the connector member 8. The fastening member 6 has a press portion 62 at an outer end thereof. The press portion 62 extends out of the pivot holder 7. A spring 5 is provided between the inner end of the fastening member 6 and the pivot holder 7.

When the present invention is assembled, the abutting portion 61 of the fastening member 6 holds against the abutting face 84 of the connector member 8 to prevent the pivot holder 7 and the connector member 8 from bending downward. The positioning axle 73 of the pivot holder 7 is located at the lower end of the curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 to prevent the pivot holder 7 and the connector member 8 from bending upward. As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention is applied to a tent in an unfolding state. For the purpose of beauty, the hub 9 is provided with a decoration cover 4.

When folding the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the press portion 62 of the fastening member 6 is pressed for the abutting portion 61 to disengage from the abutting face 84 of the connector 8. Thus, the pivot holder 7 can be bent relative to the connector member 8, and the positioning axle 73 slides along the curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 to fold the pole 1 so that the tent is folded.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top support structure comprises a hub 9 and a plurality of connector member 8 which are integrally formed with the hub 9. Each connector member 8 is pivotally connected with a pivot holder 7. In order to enhance the strength of the pivot holder 7, the inner and outer walls of the pivot holder 7 are provided with reinforcement members 75 which correspond in shape to the pivot holder 7 and are made of metal or hard plastic, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the inner walls or the outer walls of the left and right sides of the pivot holder 7 are provided with the reinforcement members 75 to enhance the strength of the pivot pieces 71, as shown in FIG. 9. If the pivot holder 7 made of metal and hard plastic has enough strength, the reinforcement members 75 can be omitted as the first embodiment. A pole 1 is fixed to the pivot holder 7. The pivot holder 7 is pivotally connected with a fastening member 6. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the structure to prevent the connector member 8 and the pivot holder 7 from bending upward. In the first embodiment, the curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 cooperates with the positioning axle 73 of the pivot holder 7 to prevent the connector member 8 and the pivot holder 7 from bending upward. In the second embodiment, there is no curved slot and positioning axle. The pivot holder 7 comprises a stop plate 74 connected between the upper ends of the two pivot pieces 71. When the pivot holder 7 is bent upward, the stop plate 74 holds against the upper end of the connector member 8 to prevent the connector member 8 and the pivot holder 7 from bending upward.

In the aforesaid embodiments, the connector members 8 are integrally formed with the hub 9. The connector members 8 and the hub 9 can be designed to be separate, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. The connector members 8 and the hub 9 have corresponding fixing holes 81, 91 for connection and are connected through pivot axles or rivets (not shown in the drawings). The function is same as the aforesaid connector member, and won't be described again.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A top support structure for a tent, comprising a hub and a plurality of connector members on the hub, each connector member being pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder, each connector member having an abutting face thereon, the pivot holder being connected with a tent pole, a fastening member being pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot holder, the fastening member having an abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end thereof, the press portion extending out of the pivot holder, a spring being provided between the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder, each connector member having a curved slot, the pivot holder being provided with a pivot axle to connect the relative connector member, the pivot holder being provided with a positioning axle inserting through the curved slot.

2. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector members are respectively connected to the hub.

3. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector members are integrally formed with the hub.

4. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub is provided with a decoration cover.

5. The top support structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inner wall or an outer wall of the pivot holder is provided with a reinforcement member.

6. A top support structure for a tent, comprising a hub and a plurality of connector members on the hub, each connector member being pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder, each connector member having an abutting face thereon, the pivot holder being connected with a tent pole, a fastening member being pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot holder, the fastening member having an abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end thereof, the press portion extending out of the pivot holder, a spring being provided between the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder, the pivot holder comprising a stop plate connected between upper ends of the two pivot pieces to hold against an upper end of the relative connector member.

7. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector members are respectively connected to the hub.

8. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector members are integrally formed with the hub.

9. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hub is provided with a decoration cover.

10. The top support structure as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9, wherein an inner wall or an outer wall of the pivot holder is provided with a reinforcement member.